Cutting board having a trough

ABSTRACT

A cutting board assembly includes a generally horizontal board member having two generally longitudinal edges and opposing first and second transverse edges defining an upper cutting surface and a lower support surface. A support structure is attached to said lower surface forming an opening underneath the first transverse edge of the board member. The assembly further includes an integral or removable trough having a first end disposed within the opening and an opposing second end extending outwardly beyond the first transverse edge of the board member.

This application claims benefits of provisional application Ser. No.60/107,194 filed Nov. 5, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to an improved cutting board preferably havinga measuring reservoir or removable trough.

Prior art cutting boards have included an opening or an elongated slotpositioned above a receptacle or reservoir for collecting pieces of foodand/or fluids produced during a carving or cutting operation.Unfortunately, these prior art cutting boards have several shortcomings.For example, the opening in the cutting board is difficult to clean,reduces the useful work surface of the cutting board, and limits thesize of food pieces which may be passed through to the receptacle.Depending upon the purpose of the cutting operation, the cut materialmust be removed from the trough for measurement or the board must betipped to remove waste. Further, the receptacle is often difficult toremove from the cutting board. Accordingly, there is a desire to providean improved cutting board preferably having a removable measuringreservoir trough which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a disclosed first embodiment of this invention, a cutting boardassembly includes a generally horizontal board member having twogenerally longitudinal edges and opposing first and second transverseedges defining an upper cutting surface and a lower support surface. Asupport structure is attached to said lower surface forming an openingunderneath the first transverse edge of the board member. The assemblyfurther includes an integral or removable trough having a first enddisposed within the opening and an opposing second end extendingoutwardly beyond the first transverse edge of the board member.

Preferably, the trough has a cup-shaped body. Where the trough isremovable, the trough includes first and second fences, first and secondramp portions, and a handle. The cup-shaped body of the removable troughhas a pouring lip disposed at the first end of the trough and a basewall disposed at the second end of the trough. The first fence extendsfrom one end of the base wall to the adjacent end of the firsttransverse edge of the board member. The second fence extends from theother end of the base wall to the opposite end of the first transverseedge of the board member. The first ramp portion is disposed between thefirst fence, the first transverse edge of the board member, and thecup-shaped body. The second ramp portion is disposed between the secondfence, the first transverse edge of the board member. and the cup-shapedbody. The handle projects out of the base wall away from the firsttransverse edge of the board member.

In a disclosed second integral embodiment of the invention. the cuttingboard assembly includes a generally horizontal board member having twolongitudinal edges and an upper cutting surface, an opening adjacent atransverse edge, and an integral trough portion extending outwardly awayfrom the opposed transverse edge of the board member. Preferably, thetrough includes a cup-shaped body having a pouring lip disposed at theend of the trough away from the first transverse edge of the boardmember. In the preferred embodiment, the inclined wall includes volumeindicating indicia. The cutting board is preferably oval shaped havingarcuate longitudinal side portions. An upstanding lip extends along onelongitudinal side and a drainage groove extends along the opposed side.A knife sharpening groove is provided in the lip.

These and other features of the present invention will be bestunderstood from the following specification and drawings, the followingof which is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a cutting board assemblyin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is cross-sectional side view of the first embodiment cuttingboard assembly.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the first embodiment cutting board assembly.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a second integral embodiment of a cutting boardassembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional side view of the second integral embodimentcutting board assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a first embodiment ofa cutting board assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention isshown in FIGS. 1-3. The cutting board assembly 10 includes a generallyhorizontal board member 12 having opposed upstanding generallylongitudinal lips or edges 14 and 16 and opposing first and secondtransverse edges 18 and 20 defining an upper cutting surface 22 and alower support surface 24. Preferably, the board member 12 has a slightdownward incline such that any juices or liquids produced during acarving or cutting operation tend to flow from the second edge 20 towardthe first edge 18. If desired. the board member 12 may further include adrainage groove, preferably disposed along the lateral edge 14, fordirecting juices toward the first edge 18.

A support structure 26 is attached or integral with to the lower supportsurface 24 forming an opening 28 underneath the first edge 18 of theboard member 12. The support structure 26 is designed to provide astable foundation for the board member 12 when the cutting boardassembly 10 is placed on a planar surface, such as a counter.

The cutting board assembly 10 further includes a removable trough orscoop 30 having a first end, generally indicated by 32, disposed withinthe opening 28 and an opposing second end, generally indicated by 34,extending outwardly beyond the first edge 18 of the board member 12.

The trough 30 includes a cup-shaped body 36 having a pouring lip 38disposed at the first end 32 of the trough 30 and a base wall 40disposed at the second end 34 of the trough 30. A first fence 42 extendsfrom one end of the base wall 40 to the adjacent end of the first edge18 of the board member 12. A second fence 44 extends from the other endof the base wall 40 to the opposite end of the first edge 18 of theboard member 12. A first ramp portion 46 is disposed between the firstfence 42, the first edge 18 of the board member 12, and the cup-shapedbody 36. A second ramp portion 48 is disposed between the second fence44, the first edge 18 of the board member 12, and the cup-shaped body36. A handle 50 projects out of the base wall 34 away from the firstedge 18 of the board member 12.

The trough 30 is adapted to receive and contain food, such as cut piecesof vegetables or meats, and fluids produced during the cutting orcarving of such food. The first and second fences 42 and 44 are designedto prevent food and fluids from spilling off end the cutting boardassembly 10. The first and second ramp portions 46 and 48 are adapted todirect food and fluids into the cup-shaped body 36 of the trough 30. Inthis manner, an operator can scrap food and fluids over the first edge18 into the cup-shaped body 36 of the trough 30. When desired, thetrough 30 may be removed by the handle 50 from the cutting boardassembly 10 and the contents of the trough 30 may be poured elsewhere.

A grip or handle 52 is attached to the assembly 10 adjacent to thesecond edge 20 of the board member 12. The operator can use the grip 52when carving on the cutting board assembly 10 or moving the cuttingboard assembly 10. A retaining wall 54 is attached along thelongitudinal edge 14 of the board member 12. The upstanding lip 54 isadapted to prevent food and fluids from spilling over the longitudinaledge 14 of the board member 12. Alternatively, the retaining wall 54could be attached along the longitudinal edge 16 of the board member 12to better facilitate use of the cutting board assembly 10 by a lefthanded operator.

The first embodiment assembly 10 may be formed of various materialsincluding wood or plastic, but is preferably formed injection moldedfood-grade plastic which is antibacterial and sterilizable.

The present invention also includes a second embodiment of a cuttingboard assembly 110 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein like numerals areincreased by multiples of 100 to indicate like or corresponding parts.The single-piece cutting board assembly 110 includes a generallyhorizontal board member 112 having two generally longitudinal edges 114and 116 defining an upper cutting surface 122. Preferably, the boardmember 112 has downwardly inclined surfaces 118 and 120 adjacent thereservoir 136 such that any juices or liquids produced during a carvingor cutting operation tend to flow to the reservoir. The board member 112further includes a drainage groove 130, preferably disposed along thelateral edge 116, for directing juices toward the reservoir 136. In thisembodiment, the reservoir 136 is integral with the cutting board 112 andfurther includes a bottom wall 124.

Preferably, the board member 112 includes a lower surface 124 and anintegral support structure 128 which in combination with the bottom wall126 of the trough provides a stable foundation for the board member 112when the cutting board assembly 110 is placed on a planar surface, suchas a counter. An opening 152 in the board member 112 provides anintegral handle for the cutting board. The operator can grip the boardthrough the opening 152 when carving on the cutting board assembly 110or moving the cutting board assembly 110.

The cutting board 112 preferably includes an integral upstanding lip 154which extends along longitudinal edge 114 as best shown in FIG. 4. Inthe preferred embodiment of the integral cutting board assembly 110, thegeneral longitudinal edges 114 and 116 are arcuate as shown in FIG. 4,such that the lip 154 and drainage groove 130 direct material and fluidstoward the trough 136. Further, in the disclosed embodiment, lip 154includes an insert 156 having a V-shaped groove 158 lined with anabrasive material, such as carbide or ceramic, for sharpening knives.Another feature of the improved integral cutting board of this inventionis the inclined surface 120 of the trough includes indicia 160 whichindicates the volume of material in the trough, such as cups.

The second embodiment of the cutting board assembly 110 may be formed ofvarious materials including wood or plastic. but is preferably formedinjection molded food-grade plastic which is antibacterial andsterilizable.

Preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, aworker of ordinary skill in the all would recognize that certainmodifications would come within the scope of this invention. For thatreason, the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cutting board assembly comprising: a generallyhorizontal cutting board having generally longitudinal and transverseedges defining a cutting surface; a support structure formed from a wallextending downwardly from said cutting board defining an opening beneathcutting board; and a trough having a bottom and opposed side surfacesadjacent one of said transverse edges of said cutting board forreceiving material from said cutting surface; and an upstanding lipextending along one of said longitudinal edges directing material towardsaid trough.
 2. The cutting board assembly defined in claim 1, whereinsaid cutting surface adjacent the longitudinal edge opposite said one ofsaid longitudinal edges includes a drainage groove.
 3. The cutting boardassembly defined in claim 1, wherein said cutting board includes asurface inclined toward said trough.
 4. The cutting board assemblydefined in claim 1, wherein said trough is removable and separate fromsaid cutting board and said side wall of said trough is received beneathsaid one of said transverse edges of said cutting board.
 5. The cuttingboard assembly defined in claim 4, wherein said trough includes a handleand an opposed pouring lip.
 6. The cutting board assembly defined inclaim 1, wherein one of said side walls of said trough is inclined andincludes spaced indicia indicating the volume of said material in saidtrough.
 7. The cutting board assembly defined in claim 1, wherein saidupstanding lip includes a V-shaped slot having abrasive material forsharpening a knife.
 8. The cutting board assembly defined in claim 1,wherein said trough is integral with said cutting board and said sidewalls are inclined toward said bottom wall of said trough.
 9. A cuttingboard assembly comprising: a generally horizontal board member havingtwo longitudinal edges and opposing first and second transverse edgesdefining an upper cutting surface and a lower support surface; a supportstructure formed from a wall extending downwardly from said lowersupport surface forming an opening underneath said first transverse edgeof said board member; and a removable trough having a first end disposedwithin said opening and an opposing second end extending outwardlybeyond said first transverse edge of said board member.
 10. An assemblyas set forth in claim 9 wherein said trough includes a cup-shaped bodyhaving a pouring lip disposed at said first end of said trough and abase wall disposed at said second end of said trough.
 11. An assembly asset forth in claim 10 wherein said trough includes a first fenceextending from one end of said base wall to the adjacent end of saidfirst transverse edge of said board member, a second fence extendingfrom the other end of said base wall to the opposite end of said firsttransverse edge of said board member. a first ramp portion disposedbetween said first fence, said first transverse edge of said boardmember, and said cup-shaped body, and a second ramp portion disposedbetween said second fence, said first transverse edge of said boardmember, and said cup-shaped body.
 12. An assembly as set forth in claim11 wherein said trough includes a handle projecting out of said basewall away from said first transverse edge of said board member.
 13. Anassembly as set forth in claim 9 including a grip attached to saidassembly adjacent said second transverse edge of said board member. 14.An assembly as set forth in claim 9 including a retaining wall attachedalong one of said longitudinal edges.
 15. A cutting board assemblycomprising: a generally horizontal board member having two longitudinaledges and opposing first and second transverse edges defining an uppercutting surface and a lower support surface; a support structure formedfrom a wall extending downwardly from said lower support surface formingan opening underneath said first transverse edge of said board member;and a removable trough having a first end disposed within said openingand an opposing second end extending outwardly beyond said firsttransverse edge of said board member; and a cup-shaped body disposed onsaid trough and having a pouring lip disposed at said first end of saidtrough and a base wall disposed at said second end of said trough;wherein said trough includes a first fence extending from one end ofsaid base wall to the adjacent end of said first transverse edge of saidboard member, a second fence extending from the other end of said basewall to the opposite end of said first transverse edge of said boardmember, a first ramp portion disposed between said first fence, saidfirst transverse edge of said board member, and said cup-shaped body, asecond ramp portion disposed between said second fence, said firsttransverse edge of said board member, and said cupshaped body.